Mission Central
What is our mission? Jesus said that we are to go into all the world, and that includes the world around us. As we go, we are to make disciples, baptize, and teach them what God has already taught us. It’s the Great Commission, and it’s why we are here. Or, is it?
There is considerable discussion within the church today concerning why the church exists. Does it exist for those who are already a part of it; IE, to teach the word in ever-increasing depth. Or, does it exist for those who are not yet a part of it; IE, evangelizing and making disciples?
I find two clues that lead to an answer to that dilemma. First, why does God place leaders in the church? He says that the pastoral staff is to “equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12, ESV) It is not just to impart greater knowledge of the word but also to equip the members for greater doing of the work. Yes, building up the body of Christ involves individual growth but it also means corporate responsibility. It necessitates the need to hear the word, but also demands that we do the word. (James 1:22) The church in Jerusalem was growing in knowledge, but it was also multiplying. There is nothing sadder than a Dead Sea church. When Believers are content to sit and soak rather than train and work, the church not only loses its vision, but totally fails in its mission.
I am impressed that when Jesus gathered His disciples around Him, He not only taught them but also sent them out to herald His coming. And, in the same text that records the sending out of the Seventy, we read God’s perspective of the church’s greatest need. “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest o send out laborers into His harvest.” (Luke 10:2, NKJV) Notice that He says into His harvest. The church never wants for a harvest. It is laborers that we sorely need. Harvesting is what the church does as it goes out into the world!
There is, however, a second hint concerning why the church exists. It is the fact that we are here at all! I know that God wants the best for me, and what is the best that I will every experience? Is it not to be in heaven with Him? That is my living hope, and, as with Paul, the great longing of every truly committed believer. (Philippians 1:23) But, there is an apparent contradiction in this! If God’s best is for me to be with Him then why am I here? Answer: He has me here to do a work that carries out the Great Commission. If it were to just teach depth of knowledge… well, in heaven I will “know even as I am known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)
Please do not misinterpret my intent. It is imperative that we preach the word, and that means being faithful in exposition of the text. There is no end to practical life-studies, but none is a suitable substitute for biblical preaching. Seeker friendly is sometimes an excuse for shallow study and often it is an effort to water down the message, but I find that when Jesus taught, He forced people to stretch. That having been said, pews have a way of becoming easy chairs, and worship centers, bedrooms where God’s elect are lulled to sleep after feasting upon good things. The church ought to fires us up, not cool us down. All Believers are in ministry, and that ministry is to connect people to a growing relationship with Christ. What I learn in church, I ought to be carrying next door.
It would do all of us good to self-evaluate how we are doing in our ministry. Are we growing in heart as well as head, and are we reaching out as well as reaching in? Fulfilling our mission is at stake. We must become mission central!
There is considerable discussion within the church today concerning why the church exists. Does it exist for those who are already a part of it; IE, to teach the word in ever-increasing depth. Or, does it exist for those who are not yet a part of it; IE, evangelizing and making disciples?
I find two clues that lead to an answer to that dilemma. First, why does God place leaders in the church? He says that the pastoral staff is to “equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12, ESV) It is not just to impart greater knowledge of the word but also to equip the members for greater doing of the work. Yes, building up the body of Christ involves individual growth but it also means corporate responsibility. It necessitates the need to hear the word, but also demands that we do the word. (James 1:22) The church in Jerusalem was growing in knowledge, but it was also multiplying. There is nothing sadder than a Dead Sea church. When Believers are content to sit and soak rather than train and work, the church not only loses its vision, but totally fails in its mission.
I am impressed that when Jesus gathered His disciples around Him, He not only taught them but also sent them out to herald His coming. And, in the same text that records the sending out of the Seventy, we read God’s perspective of the church’s greatest need. “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest o send out laborers into His harvest.” (Luke 10:2, NKJV) Notice that He says into His harvest. The church never wants for a harvest. It is laborers that we sorely need. Harvesting is what the church does as it goes out into the world!
There is, however, a second hint concerning why the church exists. It is the fact that we are here at all! I know that God wants the best for me, and what is the best that I will every experience? Is it not to be in heaven with Him? That is my living hope, and, as with Paul, the great longing of every truly committed believer. (Philippians 1:23) But, there is an apparent contradiction in this! If God’s best is for me to be with Him then why am I here? Answer: He has me here to do a work that carries out the Great Commission. If it were to just teach depth of knowledge… well, in heaven I will “know even as I am known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)
Please do not misinterpret my intent. It is imperative that we preach the word, and that means being faithful in exposition of the text. There is no end to practical life-studies, but none is a suitable substitute for biblical preaching. Seeker friendly is sometimes an excuse for shallow study and often it is an effort to water down the message, but I find that when Jesus taught, He forced people to stretch. That having been said, pews have a way of becoming easy chairs, and worship centers, bedrooms where God’s elect are lulled to sleep after feasting upon good things. The church ought to fires us up, not cool us down. All Believers are in ministry, and that ministry is to connect people to a growing relationship with Christ. What I learn in church, I ought to be carrying next door.
It would do all of us good to self-evaluate how we are doing in our ministry. Are we growing in heart as well as head, and are we reaching out as well as reaching in? Fulfilling our mission is at stake. We must become mission central!
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home